Advent: Week 1

Wait Expectantly for the Lord

Think About It: Have you ever waited for something to happen? What did you wait for? How did you feel while you were waiting? What did you do while you were waiting?

Listen To It: Jesus said, “Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won’t know what to do. People will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. Every power in the sky will be shaken. Then the Son of Man will be seen, coming in a cloud with great power and glory. When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave. You will soon be set free.” (Luke 21:25-28, CEV)

Talk About It: Have you ever heard people trying to predict when the world will end or trying to predict when Jesus will come again? What are your thoughts when you hear these kinds of conversations? Do Jesus’ words frighten you or give you hope? Explain.

Learn From It: In Jesus’ time, just like today, there were people who were anxious to know when the world would end. But Jesus does not want us to be concerned about such matters since only God knows. Rather Jesus wants us to prepare our hearts so that we are always ready to receive him. When Jesus was born, no one expected the Messiah to come as a baby. But God often surprises us in wonderful ways! In the coming days, as you begin to get ready for Christmas, be open to God’s surprises in your life and prepare your heart so that you will be ready to welcome the Savior. (Read Luke 21:25-36)

Pray About It: Lord Jesus, help me to wait for you. Prepare my heart to receive you. My hope is in you. In your holy and precious name I pray. Amen.

Act On It: While waiting for Christmas, purchase a Scripture-based “window” Advent Calendar (one with Bible verses on the back flap of each window) or make your own Advent Calendar. If making your own calendar, photocopy the month of December from a wall calendar or create your own on a sheet of white drawing paper, and copy the following Bible verse citations from Luke’s Gospel in each of the 25 boxes for the first 25 days in December: 1:5-7; 1:8-10; 1:11-13; 1:14-17; 1:18-20; 1:21-22; 1:23-25; 1:26-28; 1:29-33; 1:34-38; 1:39-45; 1:46-50; 1:51-53; 1:54-56; 1:57-58; 1:59-60; 1:61-62; 1:63-64; 1:65-66; 1:67-68; 1:69-71; 1:72-75; 1:76-80; 2:1-7; 2:8-20. Read the assigned Scripture each day and affix (or draw) a star (from a sheet of star stickers) in each day’s box.

Advent: Week 2

Get Ready for the Lord

Think About It: How are you starting to get ready for Christmas? What things do you see taking place in your home, in your church, in your community? What are your hopes and expectations as you begin getting ready for Christmas?

Listen To It: Isaiah the prophet wrote about John when he said, “In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him. Fill up every valley and level every mountain and hill. Straighten the crooked paths and smooth out the rough roads. Then everyone will see the saving power of God.’” (Luke 3:4-6, CEV)

Talk About It: What was John the Baptist’s message? Why was it important? How do you think people at that time reacted to such a message? If you saw someone on a street corner delivering the same message today, what would be your thoughts?

Learn From It: John the Baptist was a prophet who preached in the desert, telling people that they needed to get ready for something new that God was going to do. He warned them to get ready by turning back to God and being baptized. As you continue to get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus, be open to ways you can “get the road ready for the Lord.” To whom might you tell the good news about Jesus? (Read Luke 3:1-6)

Pray About It: Lord God, prepare my heart for the many wonderful and new things you are planning for me. Teach me to prepare for the coming of your Son, Jesus, and to tell others the good news. In all I do may you be glorified. In Jesus’ holy and precious name I pray. Amen.

Act On It: Create hopeful hearts. Materials needed: construction paper, heart pattern (approximately 6 inches high), scisssors, pencils/pens. Cut out several hearts. On each one invite members of your household to write something they hope for. Gather the hearts into a small basket. Each day during the week use the basket of hopeful hearts as part of your devotional time and pray about each hope that is expressed.

Advent: Week 3

Put Your Hope and Trust in the Lord

Think About It: Have you ever hoped for something to happen, only to find out later that it either didn’t happen or that something else happened instead? Were you disappointed? surprised? As you prepare for Christmas this year, trust in God’s love and think of ways you can share that love with others and fill their hearts with the hope that the birth of the Savior brings.

Listen To It: John said, “I am just baptizing with water. But someone more powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His threshing fork is in his hand, and he is ready to separate the wheat from the husks. He will store the wheat in his barn and burn the husks with a fire that never goes out.” (Luke 3:16-17, CEV)

Talk About It: How did John the Baptist describe the one who was coming? What warning did he give? Is John’s message important for people today? Explain.

Learn From It: John the Baptist knew that he was preparing the way for someone great and powerful – God’s own Son, Jesus, the promised Messiah. He challenged the people with words of judgment and called them to practice ethical reform as a sign of their repentance. Baptizing people with water symbolized the old way of life being washed away. Fire is often connected with God’s judgment or with the Holy Spirit. Describe the essence of John’s message in your own words. (Read Luke 3:7-18)

Pray About It: Loving God, my hope and trust are in you. Help me to share with others, to do your will, and to bring the light of your message to those who are in spiritual darkness. May their hearts be filled with the hope that comes from you. In Jesus’ holy and precious name I pray. Amen.

Act On It: Prepare messages of hope and love. Materials needed: used Christmas cards or other greeting cards (cut in half so that only the front picture remains), construction paper, scissors, glue, markers/crayons. Fold a sheet of construction paper in half and paste one of the used greeting card pictures on the front cover. Inside prepare a list of Christmas wishes – blessings you wish for someone else. Encourage members of your household to make several cards and deliver these “messages of hope and love” to a local hospital, convalescent home, other community organization, or to homebound neighbors.

Advent: Week 4 

Welcome and Receive the Lord

Think About It: Christmas is almost here! Are you ready? When you know a guest is coming to visit, how do you get ready?

Listen To It: The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth. Then in a loud voice she said to Mary: God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the child you will have. Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me. The Lord has blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise. (Luke 1:41b-45, CEV)

Talk About It: Why did Mary visit Elizabeth? How did Elizabeth greet Mary? Describe how you think Elizabeth felt when she saw Mary.

Learn From It: In Luke 1:5-38, the gospel writer describes how an angel foretold the birth of John and Jesus. The angel told Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth would have a son who would be a “great servant of the Lord.” The angel told Mary that her child would be called “the holy Son of God.” Both Elizabeth and Mary are now awaiting the birth of their sons. How might they have gotten ready for these births? Both women express their trust in God’s promise (1:45, 55), and Mary’s song of praise reflects an important theme that runs throughout Luke’s Gospel – that God is a friend of the poor. (Read Luke 1:39-55)

Pray About It: Lord Jesus, with all my heart I praise you. I trust in God’s promises, and with joy and anticipation I await the celebration of your birth. Thank you for being my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Act On It: Take note of all the status reversals that are expressed in Mary’s song of praise (Luke 1:46-55). Prepare an Advent carol or poem based on Mary’s song and include it with Christmas greetings you send to loved ones.